(a cannibal god of his youth) "polish his teeth on thy
bones!" I cried at last in despair. That shocking heathen curse silenced
him, but for the next two hours, whenever I looked at the creature, I
saw his lips moving and a silly, fatuous expression on his by no means
unintelligent face. I never took him out with me again, although he sent
me fowls and other things as bribes to teach him more English.

* * * * *

These sand-mullet are very dainty-feeding fish. They are particularly
fond of the soft tail part of the hermit crabs which abound all over
the island, especially after rain has fallen. Some of the shells (_T.
niloticus_) in which they live are so thick and strong, however, that
it requires two heavy stones to crush them sufficiently to take out the
crab, the upper part of whose body is useless for bait. For a stick of
tobacco, the native children would fill me a quart measure, and perhaps
add some few shrimps as well, or half a dozen large sea urchins--a very
acceptable bait for mullet. My rod was a slender bamboo--cost a quarter
of a dollar, and was unbreakable--and my lines of white American cotton,
strong, durable, and especially suitable for fishing on a bottom of pure
white sand. My gun was carried on the outrigger platform, within easy
reach, for numbers of golden plover frequented the sand banks, feeding
on the serried battalions of tiny soldier crabs, and in rainy weather
they were very easy to shoot. The rest of my gear consisted of twenty or
thirty cartridges, a box of assorted hooks, a heavy 27-cord line with
a 5-in. hook (in case I saw any big rock cod about), a few bottles of
lager, some ship biscuits or cold yam, and a tin of beef or sardines,
and some salt. This was a day's supply of food, and if I wanted more,
there were plenty of young coconuts to be had by climbing for them, and
I could cook my own fish, native fashion; lastly there was myself, in
very easy attire--print shirt, dungaree pants, panama hat, and no boots,
in place of which I used the native _takka_, or sandals of coconut
fibre, which are better than boots when walking on coral. Sometimes I
would remain away till the following morning, sleeping on the weather
side of the island under a shelter of leaves to keep off the dew, and
on such occasions two or three of the young men from the village would
invariably come and keep me company--and help eat the fish and birds.